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WA Electrical Requirements (WAER)

Information status

All documents issued prior to 1 July 2017 were issued by the former Department of Commerce. Documents listed here are the latest versions available, but may be subject to review. For more information on this document, please contact online@dmirs.wa.gov.au.

Energy Safety Division (EnergySafety) of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety following consultation with network operators and electrical contracting industry groups in Western Australia, issued this updated version of the WA Electrical Requirements (WAER) which applies from 1 January 2016.

Electrical installation designs commenced after 1 January 2016 must comply with this December 2015 version. Designs started before 1 January 2016, and projects under construction or for which building contracts are signed at that date, may comply with the earlier January 2014 version. The application of amendments to the WAER is not retrospective.

Compliance with the WAER is mandatory under Regulation 49 of the Western Australian Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. The WAER should be read with the Electricity Regulations 1947, Part VIII, and the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. Both sets of regulations take precedence.

The document makes frequent references to relevant Australian Standards. As a general rule, nothing in those standards is replicated in the WAER. The reader needs to refer to the quoted Australian Standards.

Failure to comply with a requirement may result in prosecution under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. It may also cause electricity connection delays.

This latest version contains various editorial changes and corrections to the January 2014 edition. It also includes the following material amendments:

addition of a new section in Chapter 6 providing two methods for safe earthing of remote metering enclosures (section 6.4);

new requirements for privately owned low voltage power lines and power poles (Sections 3.7 and 4.6), the key requirements being:

Any hardwood poles older than 25 years and any poles made from sawn timber should be replaced.

All new or replacement private power lines should be underground cables (preferred) or if overhead, are restricted to the use of glavanised steel or treated timber poles and insulated conductors.

Details of concrete pole footings for steel poles, as required by the Wiring Rules; and

removal of the requirement to complete and fix an Installation Test Certificate inside the meter enclosure to verify that the installation is ready for energisation (section 6.3).

Further amendments may be necessary from time to time and Industry comments will be sought on any material matters prior to publication.

Feedback

Feedback on any aspect of this document is encouraged. Comments and suggestions may be fowarded at any time, to:
Director of Energy Safety
EnergySafety
303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington, Western Australia 6107
Fax (08) 6251 1901 or via email energysafety@dmirs.wa.gov.au